As deadline looms, 22 states opt-in to FirstNet

As of the end of September, 22 U.S. states and two territories have said they will participate in the FirstNet national wireless first responder communications network, as a deadline for governors to decide looms.

FirstNet announced that final decisions are due from governors by Dec. 28 on whether they will use the federally backed interoperable wireless network for first responders.

In all, 56 U.S. states and territories are eligible to use the network; those who choose not to join may build their own radio access networks (RANs) that would interoperate with FirstNet.